Reasons to Eat Kosher Food Besides Religious Observance

The restaurant culture is alive and well in New York City. Whether you are looking for five-star, casual, or street style dining, there is always a spot that fits every craving and dietary desire. New Yorkers live fast-paced lifestyles, and most people are always on the go. Restaurants provide a convenient option to fulfill a basic need and move on to other more important pursuits.

Restaurants in New York offer varied cuisines from around the world. One example is kosher food which refers to a set of rules the Hebrew people follow when preparing and eating food. But choosing to eat kosher is not only about religion. Some people choose to eat kosher because of the following reasons.

Kosher food preparation cares about animal welfare

One characteristic of kosher food is how it emphasizes the prevention of suffering of animals. People who still eat meat but prefer to buy from sources that follow Hebrew ritual slaughter prefer kosher food. It is not to say that there aren’t controversies surrounding kosher meat, but there are many reputable sources that follow sustainable and ethical practices.

To entertain kosher observant friends and family

Eating together in gatherings is more fun if everyone can enjoy the food you prepare. Unfortunately, if any of your friends or family have dietary restrictions, providing for all of them can be a bit complicated. If you have kosher observant friends and family coming over for dinner, why not serve kosher food or look for kosher catering? It doesn’t matter if some members of the family have different degrees of observance. By choosing to serve only kosher food, you can bring people together even if they come from different backgrounds.

For lactose intolerant or people allergic to dairy

One law of preparing kosher food strictly separates meat and dairy. If you buy meat certified as “pareve” you are guaranteed that it is not contaminated with any kind of dairy product.

People who are observant of “halal”

There are many similarities between halal and kosher food. Depending on where you are in the country, you may have difficulty finding halal certified purveyors, but have better chances of finding kosher certified food. As such, kosher food is often the alternative for people who can’t find producers of halal food in their area.

For people who are looking for vegetarian food options

Kosher food has strict laws of separation. For example, meat and dairy products never mix. In the same manner, other foods labelled as “pareve” such as eggs, grains, and produce can be consumed with dairy but are not mixed before preparation. These rules simplify shopping for food if you are vegetarian. If you buy products with “pareve” certification, it means there is a guarantee that it is not tainted or contaminated with meat or dairy. On the other hand, if you are a vegetarian who eats eggs or dairy, you can also have the confidence to buy dairy products knowing that there is no chance it will contain any meat product.